Innovative approaches to the therapy of fibrosis.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose of review

The lung in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma) is susceptible to fibrosis and the ensuing respiratory insufficiency contributes to significant morbidity and mortality in this disease. The lack of effective therapies for pulmonary fibrosis has spurred a re-evaluation of pathobiological paradigms and therapeutic strategies in scleroderma-associated interstitial lung disease and in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. The purpose of this review is to examine emerging new therapeutic targets that modulate pro-fibrotic phenotypes of tissue-resident cells and the associated aberrant tissue remodeling responses in fibrotic disorders.

Recent findings

Progressive forms of tissue fibrosis, including scleroderma, are characterized by an accumulation of activated mesenchymal c

SUBMITTER: de Andrade JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2862988 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature